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UV-Resistant Film: How It Protects Goods in Outdoor Storage
If you store palletised goods outdoors, or your products are sensitive to sunlight and UV radiation, UV-resistant film can be a good solution. It is worth using even for goods kept indoors, as it also protects and holds together palletised loads during loading and transport.
Where UV-resistant film is used
UV rays can damage standard stretch film as well as the products underneath it. Most of these films start to degrade within 30 days of outdoor storage. UV-resistant film – often called light-stabilised or UV-stabilised film – was developed to overcome this. Its key purpose is to protect against the sun’s UV rays, and it is used in many industries and applications, including:
Packaging construction products such as bricks, cement, tiles and other bagged goods stored outdoors
In agriculture, for building polytunnels and film greenhouses
In landscaping, to protect paving and fencing
For covering swimming pools
As a vapour control membrane in roofing
For darkening windows
How does UV-stabilised film protect?
UV-stabilised film works in much the same way as sunscreen protects the skin. An additive is used in the film that protects the plastic from degradation caused by UV light.
Standard film is made from polyethylene, which degrades quickly under UV light. This degradation causes the plastic film to lose its cling and stretch properties, making it practically unusable.
Like conventional film, UV-resistant film is usually transparent, except where the products are sensitive to UV radiation. The additive is introduced during film production. Once added, UV inhibitors can protect the product from premature degradation for nine months to a year.
If you need help choosing a film, talk to our specialists!
Why choose UV-resistant film?
Without special treatment, most plastics start to degrade in direct sunlight. The film’s elasticity and physical composition begin to change: it yellows, discolours and eventually breaks down into small pieces. Exposure to UV rays also weakens the film’s strength and resilience. UV-resistant films, however, are specially treated during the extrusion process to slow down degradation significantly.
If your products are sensitive to the sun’s UV radiation, an opaque stretch film with a UV additive may be the right choice. Opaque UV-resistant film protects both your product and the film itself from degradation in sunlight. Blocking out sunlight significantly extends the service life of products stored outdoors.
UV-resistant films are ideal for palletising goods. Our company plays a leading role in providing custom packaging solutions and also produces UV-resistant film with short lead times. Our range includes several transparent and opaque films that withstand solar radiation and protect your products.
Simply tell us your requirements and goals, and we will help you choose the best stretch film.
Summary
UV rays are not only harmful to human skin – they also shorten the service life of plastics. That is why it pays to choose UV-resistant film instead of conventional film.